A recent report by the state Division of Planning predicts Cranston's population will surpass Warwick's by 2020.
The report predicts trends in Rhode Island's population from 2010 to 2040 and the overall prediction is that growth will be slight during the time period. The state's total population is expected to be 1,070,104 in 204 — a slight increase over the 1,052,567 tally in 2010.
As the growth stagnates, the report predicts that the population will age, causing a significant effect on jobs and the economy. More older people will be more burdensome on the state's health-care system, retirement systems and will cause gradual changes in the employment market as the business community adapts to serve the aging population.
Kevin Flynn, state planning director, said Cranston will overtake Warwick because of the availability of buildable land, according to the Providence Journal.
While most of Warwick has been built out, there is still a bit of room for additional residential development in Cranston, particularly in western Cranston.
The entire report is available at the Rhode Island Division of Planning Web site.
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